The Commodores

Not in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Eligible since: 2000

First Recording: 1974

Previously Considered? Yes  what's this?

The Commodores
HALL OF FAME INDICATORS
🔲Rolling Stone 500 Albums
🔲Rolling Stone 500 Songs
🔲Rolling Stone Cover
Saturday Night Live
🔲Major Festival Headliner
🔲Songwriters Hall of Fame
🔲“Big Four” Grammys

Inducted into Rock Hall Projected in 2033.

Essential Albums (?)WikipediaYouTube
Commodores (1977)

Essential Songs (?)WikipediaYouTube
Brick House (1977)
Easy (1977)
Three Times a Lady (1978)
Lady (You Bring Me Up) (1981)
Nightshift (1985)

The Commodores @ Wikipedia

Will The Commodores be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame?
"Musical excellence is the essential qualification for induction."
Yes: 
No :


Comments

152 comments so far (post your own)

The Commodores

01. Lionel Richie (vocals, saxophone, drums, piano)
02. Thomas McClary (lead guitar)
03. Milan Williams (keyboards, trombone, rhythm guitar)
04. William King (trumpet, rhythm guitar, synthesizer)
05. Ronald LaPread (bass guitar, trumpet)
06. Walter Orange (vocals, drums)
07. J.D. Nicholas (vocals)

Posted by Roy on Wednesday, 02/27/2013 @ 19:51pm


Re: J.D. Nicholas:

I don't think he'll get in . I think that The Hall will probably focus on the six original members of The Commodores, and Nicholas will get the shaft.I hope not, but look at another Motown group, The Miracles. The six originals (Smokey and Claudette Robinson, Bobby Rogers, Pete Moore,Ronnie White, and Marv Tarplin),got inducted, while Billy Griffin got shafted...despite the fact that Griffin led on the biggest single (the # 1 hit "Love Machine"),and Album (The Platinum "City Of Angels"),the group ever had. He also led on the million-seller "Do It Baby" and the Top 10 R&B hit, "Don't-Cha Love It". Griffin recorded 7 albums with the group,5 for Motown, and two for Columbia) ...and he STILL didn't get in. If Billy didn't, J.D. probably won't either.

Posted by Bill G. on Monday, 03/11/2013 @ 23:15pm


The Commodores

01. Lionel Richie (1968-1977: vocals, saxophone, drums, piano)
02. Thomas McClary (1968-Present: lead guitar)
03. Milan Williams (1968-1989: keyboards, trombone, rhythm guitar)
04. William King (1968-Present: trumpet, rhythm guitar, synthesizer)
05. Ronald LaPread (1968-1985: bass guitar, trumpet)
06. Walter Orange (1968-Present: vocals, drums)
07. J.D. Nicholas (1985-Present: vocals; Heatwave)

Posted by Roy on Thursday, 05/23/2013 @ 10:33am


The Commodores as a GROUP should get in FIRST. Lionel Richie's SOLO career, while emormously successful,was far too "Popish" (during the height of his solo career, he was called "The Black Barry Manilow").

Is Barry Manilow in the Hall of Fame ?

(See my point?)

As with Dion & The Belmonts, sometimes the ship only sails ONCE. If that is going to happen...it should be for ALL of the Commodores: Lionel Richie, Ron LaPread, the late Milan Williams,Walter "Clyde" Orange,Tommy McCleary,and William "WAK" King.

NOT LIONEL RICHIE SOLO.

As I've said before, let's not create still ANOTHER situation where a Special Committee has to come in to correct a mistake that NEVER should have been made in the FIRST PLACE.

The COMMODORES ?? YES !!

Lionel Richie solo?? (maybe later) .

Posted by Bill G on Thursday, 09/5/2013 @ 11:14am


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5EmnQp3V48

****The COMMODORES****

Two of the BIGGEST hits that The Commodores EVER HAD ...WERE NOT EVEN LED BY LIONEL RICHIE !!

Like "BRICK HOUSE" .

Walter "Clyde" Orange sang lead on THAT.

Lionel was playing sax in the BACKGROUND on THAT one .

And Brick House" is their SIGNATURE song ...and their biggest-selling hit WORLDWIDE.

...and , since ALL of The Commodores WROTE the song, WHY should Richie get singled out ...and go into the Hall ALONE...WITHOUT HIS BANDMATES ??

(in THIS case , the word "band" is correct) .



Posted by Bill G on Thursday, 09/5/2013 @ 11:36am


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrkEDe6Ljqs

Lionel Richie didn't even sing lead on their SECOND most recognizable hit...the Grammy-winning "NIGHT SHIFT".

Walter "Clyde" Orange sand lead on THAT one TOO !!

(in a duet with Richie's replacement, J.D. Nicolas)

So, since The Commodores 2 all-time biggest WORLWIDE hits...

WEREN'T EVEN LED BY LIONEL RICHIE...

How in the WORLD can he go in solo, WITHOUT the GROUP ??

Posted by Bill G on Thursday, 09/5/2013 @ 11:44am


Why does the Rock Hall prefer The Meters, War and The Spinners over Kool and the Gang and the Commodores? I don't think we will be seeing Kool and the Gang and the Commodores on the ballot until the Spinners, the Meters and War are inducted. They will need a couple of black groups to replace the ones they prefer after they have been inducted.

Posted by Roy on Friday, 09/6/2013 @ 06:22am


"Why does the Rock Hall prefer The Meters, War and The Spinners over Kool and the Gang and the Commodores? I don't think we will be seeing Kool and the Gang and the Commodores on the ballot until the Spinners, the Meters and War are inducted. They will need a couple of black groups to replace the ones they prefer after they have been inducted."

Posted by Roy


WHY ? The Rock Hall hasn't had any problem ignoring Black R&B groups up till now . In recent years, I can count on one hand the number of R&B groups that have gotten in :

2013: 0

2012: Miracles , Famous Flames, Midnighters

(and THEY were inducted to correct past mistakes that the Non Com THEMSELVES made)

2011 : 0

2010 : 0

2009 : Little Anthony & The Imperials

2008 : 0

2007 : 0

(Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five are NOT R&B, and, IMO, shouldn't have been inducted in the FIRST PLACE...especially not sooner than legendary groups like The Miracles, Midnighters, Imperials, and The Famous Flames)

2006 : 0

2005 : The O"Jays




That's only Five R&B groups in the last NINE years .

Nominated but Rejected : The Meters, The Spinners,The Marvelettes, WAR, Chaka Khan & Rufus...

And WHO KNOWS who else.

That's a BAD track record.

Kinda makes you wonder, doesn't it.

The only Black acts that have gotten inducted in recent years are "fringe" acts- that is , artists who are Black ...but are NOT R&B : Rap, Disco, Blues, Reggae, etc.

And people wonder just WHY there is a need for an R&B Hall of Fame .

Posted by Bill G on Friday, 09/6/2013 @ 13:43pm


"The only Black acts that have gotten inducted in recent years are "fringe" acts- that is , artists who are Black ...but are NOT R&B : Rap, Disco, Blues, Reggae, etc."

Did you seriously just imply those genres are "fringe" compared to R&B?

Posted by GFW on Friday, 09/6/2013 @ 14:35pm


Did you seriously just imply those genres are "fringe" compared to R&B?

I've got a better question than THAT. How do YOU explain my previous point ?

Posted by Bill G on Friday, 09/6/2013 @ 14:51pm


....The fact is...YOU CAN'T.

And neither can the Rock Hall voters.

Posted by Bill G on Friday, 09/6/2013 @ 14:52pm


With the great number of deserving classic R&B groups still out there NOT inducted...

How can they just BYPASS them ALL...

...and go straight artists that are on the FRINGE (yes, that's what I said) of Black Music ?

None of those inducted acts are identified as R&B . Offshoots, yes. Precursors,yes, I'll grant that. But none of them are traditional R&B-identified acts. And NONE of them are R&B GROUPS.

...any questions ?

Posted by Bill G on Friday, 09/6/2013 @ 15:03pm


"The only Black acts that have gotten inducted in recent years are "fringe" acts- that is , artists who are Black ...but are NOT R&B : Rap, Disco, Blues, Reggae, etc."

Bill, it's clear that you're not getting enough oxygen inside your bubble.

Wow.

Posted by DarinRG on Friday, 09/6/2013 @ 16:28pm


Oh my god Bill are you kidding me.

Right, let's have a look at those genres, eh?

Rap: Rap is probably the mist popular black-dominated genre for the past 30 years.
Blues - The Blues predate your beloved R&B by decades, and is the biggest influence in the beginning of rock and roll. Hell, "Rhythm And BLUES" It's in the name!
Disco: This is by no means a "black" genre. Not to mention, there's barely any disco artists in!
Reggae: Is Marley and Cliff seriously too much for you?

The pioneers of these genres are FAR more important than any R&B artists not in.

Posted by GFW on Friday, 09/6/2013 @ 16:39pm


"Oh my god Bill are you kidding me.

Right, let's have a look at those genres, eh?

Rap: Rap is probably the mist popular black-dominated genre for the past 30 years.
Blues - The Blues predate your beloved R&B by decades, and is the biggest influence in the beginning of rock and roll. Hell, "Rhythm And BLUES" It's in the name!
Disco: This is by no means a "black" genre. Not to mention, there's barely any disco artists in!
Reggae: Is Marley and Cliff seriously too much for you?

The pioneers of these genres are FAR more important than any R&B artists not in. "

You are looking at this issue from YOUR vantage point , that is,from someone who was not even born when R&B was popular on the airwaves. So I can't expect you to see the importance of R&B. when you weren't even here.

""The only Black acts that have gotten inducted in recent years are "fringe" acts- that is , artists who are Black ...but are NOT R&B : Rap, Disco, Blues, Reggae, etc."

"Bill, it's clear that you're not getting enough oxygen inside your bubble".

Let's go back to the original conversation between Roy and I.

He mentioned " R&B GROUPS. I ,in answer, discussed R&B GROUPS.

Talking about Black non R&B artists and non-GROUPS is effectively avoiding the issue.

Is Donna Summer a GROUP?

How about Freddie King ?

Albert King ?

(not when last I looked)

Is Jimmy Cliff ?

Little Walter ?

None of these artists were a part of the issue at hand ...because NONE of them are R&B GROUPS.

...And R&B groups were what Roy and I were talking about.

Any questions ?

Posted by Bill G on Friday, 09/6/2013 @ 16:58pm


With the great number of deserving classic R&B groups still out there NOT inducted...

How can they just BYPASS them ALL...

...and go straight artists that are on the FRINGE (yes, that's what I said) of Black Music ?

None of those inducted acts are identified as R&B . Offshoots, yes. Precursors, yes, I'll grant that. But none of them are traditional R&B-identified acts. And NONE of them are R&B GROUPS.

...any questions ?


Posted by Bill G on Friday, 09.6.13 @ 15:03pm
--------------------------------------------------
Bill - I am not necessarily the biggest fan of hip-hop, but even I couldn't say it was a "fringe" music. I agree that there's little classic R&B in hip-hop, but a younger generation sees them as the inheritors of older R&B (right or wrong). There's a very interesting article in the Thursday edition of the Philadelphia Inquirer on R&B stations in the Philly market. It talks of how one station is switching over to a classic format, and whether this is a good idea or not. You might be interested to check it out, perhaps online, when you have a free minute.

One thing I did want to ask - you speak of "traditionally identified" R&B groups. When do you date this "traditional" factor? I'm not asking in a nasty way. It just strikes me that you listed Little Anthony & the Imperials above, yet they run concurrent to a Howlin' Wolf, and a Bo Diddley, and even a Nat King Cole, who all shared the R&B charts in the 50's. I'm simply curious, that's all.

Posted by Cheesecrop on Friday, 09/6/2013 @ 17:31pm


"One thing I did want to ask - you speak of "traditionally identified" R&B groups. When do you date this "traditional" factor? I'm not asking in a nasty way. It just strikes me that you listed Little Anthony & the Imperials above, yet they run concurrent to a Howlin' Wolf, and a Bo Diddley, and even a Nat King Cole, who all shared the R&B charts in the 50's. I'm simply curious, that's all."

Well, Cheesecrop, I'll be happy to answer that. You see , Little Anthony & The Imperials started in the late 50's,but they continued to chart well into the mid '70's as well.

And, in several published interviews, Anthony made clear that the Imperials were an "R&B group" Not a "Doo-Wop" group...in fact, The Imperials DETEST the "Doo-Wop" label.

The Imperials survived the so-called "Doo-Wop" era, the R&B/ Soul era, the concurrent "British Invasion" Era...

And they're still touring today. (In fact, I'm going to see them later this month).

They also survived the "Bo Diddley" and "Howling Wolf" eras too. (LOL)

Secondly, although it's true that RAP is the predominate genre of Black Music today,(and I'm NOT denying that, GFW), There are several radio stations nationwide that have dropped it from their playlists, and are going back to R&B (usually the ones NOT owned by Clear Channel). PBS has also taken up the fight.. with it's now-famous Doo-Wop and R&B Specials .

As far as most music historians have estimated , traditional R&B began to disappear sometime around 1980...or a little before. It was felled by the 1-2-3 punch of Disco,Funk, and finally Rap.

Posted by Bill G on Friday, 09/6/2013 @ 18:07pm


...And, i'll be sure to check out that article in the Philadelphia Inquirer. Thanks !!

Posted by Bill G on Friday, 09/6/2013 @ 18:10pm


Honest question Bill, just asking your opinion: would Boyz II Men be considered a "traditional R&B group" since they carry a lot of that style with their sound? Because that's an R&B group I'd like to see get inducted someday, too.

Posted by Philip on Friday, 09/6/2013 @ 18:10pm


Honest question Bill, just asking your opinion: would Boyz II Men be considered a "traditional R&B group" since they carry a lot of that style with their sound? Because that's an R&B group I'd like to see get inducted someday, too.

Posted by Philip on Friday, 09/6/2013 @ 18:10pm


"Honest question Bill, just asking your opinion: would Boyz II Men be considered a "traditional R&B group" since they carry a lot of that style with their sound? Because that's an R&B group I'd like to see get inducted someday, too."

I would say "kinda sorta". They don't fit the timeline..but they DO have many of the characteristics of classic R&B groups.

Maybe one day they WILL get in ...but judging by the Hall's track record in inducting R&B groups over the last several years....don't hold your breath.

Posted by Bill G on Friday, 09/6/2013 @ 18:40pm


...And for those who disagree with what I'm saying about classic R&B groups, I say, don't argue with ME...look at the TRACK RECORD . It's right there in front of you. R&B groups just AREN'T getting in .

I'll be very happy if the Spinners or The Marvelettes get in ...but I'M not holding MY breath.

Posted by Bill G on Friday, 09/6/2013 @ 18:45pm


What's even scarier is...if you eliminate the 3 classic R&B groups inducted by Special Committee (Miracles, Midnighters, Famous Flames) which were NOT decided on by the voters, it reveals a more ominous fact: That in the last 9 YEARS , only 2 Classic R&B groups were actually inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by the Voting Body.

**** only two ****

(The O"Jays & The Imperials)

Posted by Bill G on Friday, 09/6/2013 @ 18:55pm


"only 2 Classic R&B groups were actually inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by the Voting Body.

**** only two ****

(The O"Jays & The Imperials)"

(This is REALLY COOL if you're SAMMY STRAIN, because he was a member of , and was inducted WITH...BOTH groups. But, it doesn't bode well for any of the OTHERS).

Posted by Bill G on Friday, 09/6/2013 @ 19:10pm


news.yahoo.com/rock-roll-hall-fame-becoming-racist-170700082.html

These disturbing stats on the part of the Rock Hall coupled with the Hall's failure to correct this situation, caused the appearance of the above article, dated Dec. 8, 2011...

Posted by Bill G on Saturday, 09/7/2013 @ 11:43am


Bill G,

That is a pretty good article. And it does point to a Hall that is forgetting some of its core styles. Though I disagree with the 5th dimension part of it. I really don't think anyone thought they were very "cool" when they were around. Catchy as anything could be, but never considered truly talented until they broke away from each other. Especially McCoo and Davis.

The hall has been slacking on R&B nominations lately. There are plenty of groups and solo artists out there to choose from. Although Percy Sledge and Bobby Womack may not have been the best picks for representation of the genre.It is strange that the hurdle is there for the style, especially when you consider R&B's lasting popularity over the decades.

I do wonder what they are going to do as the 90s come in, and the new R&B artists come up for induction. The two generations are going to collide, and I really have no idea who will break through into the Hall. They will all have to overcome the Hall's apparent bias, and then fight over whatever R&B spot is available that year.

It seems with every less that qualified induction the Hall adds to it's list of snubs. That has now snowballed to create a big roster of artists not in (of all styles), and the problem seems to be growing every year.

Posted by Chris F. on Saturday, 09/7/2013 @ 15:17pm


I totally AGREE Chris .

And , that's why I say , once you PASS the Motown/Stax/Atlantic/Chess Eras of the 1960's ...

R&B inductions get SHAMEFULLY spotty.

These non-inducted artists of the late 60-late 70's , the artists of the "Soul Train Era", just aren't getting in....

And among them are some of the greatest music artists of all time !!

And , as for 80's RAP/Hip-Hop artists...

Although many of them are innovative, the great majority`of them employ music that is derivative.

***Where do they get their samples from??***

****RHYTHM & BLUES****

I can site you cases by the score...of numerous Rap and Hip-Hop tunes that have borrowed the music, the beats, even the LYRICS, from classic R&B tunes.

Since WHEN is the imitator more talented or influential than the INNOVATOR ??

If these artists take R&B tunes , change them around, and release them under THEIR OWN NAMES...

Since WHEN does that make them more talented than the R&B artist or group....

That ORIGINATED that song in the FIRST PLACE ??

...And, since WHEN should that very Rap/Hip-Hop artist get into the Hall...
AHEAD of the very artists WHO'S MUSIC THEY SAMPLED TO GET THERE ??

I don't know about YOU.. But I think that there's something VERY WRONG in that.

Posted by Bill G on Saturday, 09/7/2013 @ 17:02pm


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VutAWCzUuoI

In 1973, The MIRACLES released a song entitled..

"GIVE ME JUST ANOTHER DAY"

Smokey had left the group by then, and had been replaced with Billy Griffin.

This song was not a hit, and barely scraped the charts...
But WHO could have guessed what would happen NEXT....

Posted by Bill G on Saturday, 09/7/2013 @ 17:13pm


****"GIVE ME JUST ANOTHER DAY"****

(from Wikipedia)

"Give Me Just Another Day" (T54240F) is a song written by Leon Ware and released as a single in 1973 by Motown R&B group The Miracles, issued on that label's Tamla Records subsidiary. It was the first single release from the group's upcoming album, Do It Baby, which was released the following year.
The second single release by the group featuring new lead singer Billy Griffin, who had replaced the group's original lead singer Bill "Smokey" Robinson, the song was written by Motown staff songwriter Leon Ware, who, up until this point, had written and composed for several Motown acts, including Marvin Gaye, The Isley Brothers, Michael Jackson, and Junior Walker & the All Stars, among others .
Hal Davis was the song's producer, and it was arranged by James Carmichael, who went on to become one of the main architects behind the success of Motown group The Commodores later in the decade.There were two different mixes of the song. The single release features the background vocals by Miracles Bobby Rogers, Pete Moore, and Ronnie White much more prominently than the album version, giving it more of a "group" feel,while the album mix barely features their vocals at all, almost making it seem like a Billy Griffin "solo" performance.
This song was not a big success, failing to reach the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No. 11 on the Bubbling Under chart, and reached No. 47 on the Billboard R&B chart.
Despite this song's initial chart failure,however, it has since gained new life and become a valuable part of the Motown Catalogue as a much-covered and sampled song by hip-hop artists, including Young Jeezy, Schoolboy Q, Jay-Z, Marco Polo, Wade Waters, Christina Milian, and Rick Ross.

...Do you see what I mean ?

Posted by Bill G on Saturday, 09/7/2013 @ 17:16pm


Now. take THAT scenario...

And MULTIPLY it A THOUSAND TIMES.....

And , you'll see just HOW MUCH RAP/Hip-Hop owes ...

to RHYTHM & BLUES.

Posted by Bill G on Saturday, 09/7/2013 @ 17:20pm


So, although Rap/Hip-Hop may be the dominate form of Black Music TODAY...

It's ROOTS...

...ARE UNMISTAKABLE !!!

Posted by Bill G on Saturday, 09/7/2013 @ 17:27pm


I was never denying the influence of R&B on Rap, I was taking umbrage at your labelling of rap as a "fringe genre"

Posted by GFW on Saturday, 09/7/2013 @ 17:39pm


I don't think anyone can counter that Hip Hop has taken a large dose of R&B and used it to become the dominant style of Rock for the bast 20 or so years. But then again that is the beauty of Rock'N'Roll as a whole. You take a little of this, some of that, and create something else. It is a cocktail of styles and influences. And in the end aren't all styles of music derivative of some other style? Even R&B springs out of Jump Blues, Gospel, and Jazz. And they all have their roots in even older styles. Hip Hop is a sampling style of music. But I think it is more in homage to those great acts of the 60s and 70s than a true rip off. Rap acts take older music and make it relevant to a new generation. It will never be as good to people who love and cherish R&B like you and I. Yet there is a large amount of respect from the younger generation towards that music when they sample it.

I think there is room for both in the Hall. There hasn't been an undeserving Rap act inducted yet. And I don't see that happening for years truthfully. I think that the generation that grew up with 2Pac and Jay Z will look back at the hall in 20 years and ask the same question we are asking about R&B. Where are the second tier acts? The Hall to us has the Temptations, Supremes, Four Tops, Imperials, O'Jays, the Pips, Miracles, Midnighters, and so on. There are still a few top tier legends not in (The Orioles, The Clovers, the Dominoes, The Spinners, etc..). But what we are really looking at are the second tier, just as wonderful but not quite as legendary. It would be less frustrating if the Hall would quit popping in their pet projects. Percy Sledge shouldn't have been in before Joe Tex. Laura Nyro shouldn't be in until about 20 other females have been inducted.

The Hip Hop generation is going to look back and be asking the same questions.

As for originating songs. Jerry Lee Lewis is in, Big Maybelle is not. Aretha got in before Otis. James Brown and The Mamas and The Papas are, but not the 5 Royales. There are plenty of examples. Everybody borrows and steals in this dysfunctional Rock family.

Covers and Samples are vital parts of Rock. I mean Gloria Jones had Tainted Love, then Soft Cell made it the massive hit it is, and decades later it was Rihanna who samples it in S.O.S. If anything samples and covers add to the legacy of an act. Enhancing their chances of getting represented in the Hall and being remembered by the general populace. No matter how much of an insult it may seem to fans like us that some act gets in before one from traditional R&B, as long as they deserve to be there it is okay. The problem is the acts that don't deserve it.

Posted by Chris F. on Saturday, 09/7/2013 @ 18:00pm


"I was never denying the influence of R&B on Rap, I was taking umbrage at your labelling of rap as a "fringe genre"".

I don't think he was doing that. I think he was saying that rap was on the fringes of R&B, not that rap itself was a fringe genre.

Posted by Dezmond on Saturday, 09/7/2013 @ 18:09pm


"The pioneers of these genres are FAR more important than any R&B artists not in. "

I think that you also believe that RAP and it's artists are more important historically.They're not.

You have to understand, that if Rap/Hip-Hop sells more records today, than R&B did back "in the day", the reason is that of changing demographics in our society. Today, there are simply MORE PEOPLE in the United States than there were 40-50 years ago. So, it would be much easier for a Rap record to sell a million copies today, than it would be for an R&B record to do so in the Sixties. Also, R&B artists back then had to battle TREMENDOUS odds to get radio airplay...and had to deal with far more bigotry in the music industry than artists do today, just to get HALF the recognition that White Artists got.

That's the very reason why I don't buy the line that The Beatles were the greatest group of all time...If they had been black, the Beatles would have received NOWHERE NEAR the fame ,glory, accolades, or money that they eventually got. And, if the Miracles had been White...you KNOW what would have happened. The Beatles had far greater opportunities for success...and didn't have to deal with the racism that Black artists did back then.

Today, it's a different story.If Rap & Hip/Hop artists today have the wherewithal to start clothing lines,perfume lines, get TV ,book and movie deals,etc. It is because of the groundbraking efforts of R&B artists of 50 years ago that PUT THEM in that position. R&B Artists back them simply didn't have access to those opportunites.

That's why , you can't just look at Pop Chart Positions back then of an artist's worth or influence...Some of the greatest artists of all-time barely made a dent in the Pop Charts.

And,had it not been for R&B...there would have been NO RAP.

Posted by Bill G on Saturday, 09/7/2013 @ 18:10pm


...And yes, Chris, there IS room for both in the Hall. The Problem is, in recent years , R&B artists JUST AREN'T GETTING IN THERE.

....Only the voters know why.

Posted by Bill G on Saturday, 09/7/2013 @ 18:18pm


Bill G,

I think we all know why. The voting body isn't the most educated group on any style outside of Popular 60s acts. Because of that everything else is suffering. I don't know when they picked up the required Singer-Songwriter slot and dropped the necessary R&B slot.

Posted by Chris F. on Saturday, 09/7/2013 @ 18:21pm


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_bQ6-zrM7U

Anyway, I don't want to do stand on the soapbox and do a lecture on The Commodores' site...so, here is one of their biggest hits (that Lionel Richie actually DID sing lead on)....1976's Top Ten smash,"Just to Be Close to You"

Posted by Bill G on Saturday, 09/7/2013 @ 18:23pm


Wow. i just looked at this video. It looks like "Clyde" did co-lead vocals on THIS one TOO !!!

Posted by Bill G on Saturday, 09/7/2013 @ 18:28pm


"Bill G,

I think we all know why. The voting body isn't the most educated group on any style outside of Popular 60s acts. Because of that everything else is suffering. I don't know when they picked up the required Singer-Songwriter slot and dropped the necessary R&B slot."

Posted by Chris F.

Yeah, Chris...I don't know EITHER. It sure would be nice if they brought it BACK.

Posted by Bill G on Saturday, 09/7/2013 @ 18:30pm


""I was never denying the influence of R&B on Rap, I was taking umbrage at your labelling of rap as a "fringe genre"".

I don't think he was doing that. I think he was saying that rap was on the fringes of R&B, not that rap itself was a fringe genre."

Posted by Dezmond

Yes, Dez...that's exactly what I meant. Sorry if I didn't clarify.

Posted by Bill G on Saturday, 09/7/2013 @ 18:33pm


..That's also exactly why I think that the Special Committee should be an ongoing and permanent part of the Rock Hall. As the median age of the voters gets progressively younger, those voters simply WON'T KNOW or CAN'T REMEMBER the importance or impact of earlier acts . So, in addition to inducting groups left out when their lead singers were inducted, the Special Committee should evaluate and induct important earlier acts of the 40's 50's 60's and 70's that haven't , so far, gotten in...including Early Influence act like Sinatra,Ella,Nat,Cab, etc.

Posted by Bill G on Saturday, 09/7/2013 @ 18:42pm


...and Tony Bennett...one of the all-time greats !!!

Posted by Bill G on Saturday, 09/7/2013 @ 18:43pm


Alright, nevermind. Apparently Bill G does feel that way about rap.

I hate to be a defender of The Beatles, but Bill G, what you said was patently absurd. They were the most important group of that era for rock and roll. They changed the entire sonic and production landscape. Almost every rock group of that era were effected by them, either inspired by and challenged by, or tried to differentiate themselves, but they were all reacting to them. I'm not even a big Beatles fan,but Jesus Christ, man, take off the Motown goggles for a moment and see the whole picture.

And yes, I know this isn't The Beatles page, but I couldn't let that comment go. OK, I am ready for the ALL CAPS barrage.

Posted by dezmond on Saturday, 09/7/2013 @ 18:52pm


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bobby_Womack

"The hall has been slacking on R&B nominations lately. There are plenty of groups and solo artists out there to choose from. Although Percy Sledge and Bobby Womack may not have been the best picks for representation of the genre."

While I'm in total agreement with you on Percy Sledge, I think that Bobby Womack was definitely a good call...due to his long string of hit records, songwriting, session work at a guitarist, records as lead singer of The Valentinos, (his brothers),and other industry milestones. Sledge didn't do a TENTH of what Bobby did.Bobby deserved it. Percy didn't.

...As far as I'm concerned , Lou Rawls,or Barry White should have gotten HIS spot....or maybe even Johnnie Taylor.

Posted by Bill G on Saturday, 09/7/2013 @ 19:02pm


"
Alright, nevermind. Apparently Bill G does feel that way about rap.

I hate to be a defender of The Beatles, but Bill G, what you said was patently absurd. They were the most important group of that era for rock and roll. They changed the entire sonic and production landscape. Almost every rock group of that era were effected by them, either inspired by and challenged by, or tried to differentiate themselves, but they were all reacting to them. I'm not even a big Beatles fan,but Jesus Christ, man, take off the Motown goggles for a moment and see the whole picture.

And yes, I know this isn't The Beatles page, but I couldn't let that comment go. OK, I am ready for the ALL CAPS barrage."

No "all caps", Dez.

But (and I know that this is a stretch), try to imagine that The Beatles were Black. Do you think that ,despite their obvious talent, given the racial climate in the U.S. that they would have STILL gotten as big as they eventually did?

Be honest.

Posted by Bill G on Saturday, 09/7/2013 @ 19:09pm


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUQOThXDQDc

****The COMMODORES****

Believe it or not....their first million-seller was with an INSTRUMENTAL !!!

"MACHINE GUN" (1974)

Posted by Bill G on Saturday, 09/7/2013 @ 19:14pm


That is a fair point, and you are probably right (on the black Beatles scenario). Very interesting what if. But that still doesn't take away what they accomplished. Love "Machine Gun," by the way.

Posted by dezmond on Saturday, 09/7/2013 @ 19:19pm


I'm not saying rap is more important than R&B. I'm saying that if you're going to induct the top acts of R&B, then there's n odecent reason you can't do the same for rap.

Also you should know by now that when it comes to this site I'm one of the least concerned with sales, so not sure what the whole thing about Rap selling more was about.

Posted by GFW on Saturday, 09/7/2013 @ 19:20pm


Covers and Samples are vital parts of Rock. I mean Gloria Jones had Tainted Love, then Soft Cell made it the massive hit it is, and decades later it was Rihanna who samples it in S.O.S. If anything samples and covers add to the legacy of an act. Enhancing their chances of getting represented in the Hall and being remembered by the general populace.

Posted by Chris F. on Saturday, 09.7.13 @ 18:00pm
--------------------------------------------------
Covers, yes, Samples, no. (my take)

Everyone has done covers since the dawn of recorded music. The whole Pat Boone/Little Richard dust-up has to do w/covers, obviously. However, Boone also did his own stuff, and had success w/it. In all honesty, neither one really needed each other, as they both could've had success on their own.

With a sample, you're just riding on the back of someone else's popularity. Many's a weak song that gets propped up by the recognition of the known artist being sampled. You have to ask yourself, what's making the song work, the present artist or the past artist? Name-dropping in a song is one thing, if you hope to evoke a certain kind of emotion. Someone name-dropping Smoky & the Miracles, while doing a slower, but original song, may be able to harness the sense of similarity to a number like "Ooh, Baby Baby". If the song is original, then more power to them, as they created something on their own. Somebody just grabbing it blatantly brings up the question of, "who's driving the train"? Just send the royalty checks to Motown & have them divvy it up, cause there's a darn good chance it belongs to them, & not Joe Modern Artist. :)

Posted by Cheesecrop on Saturday, 09/7/2013 @ 19:28pm


Not so with all sampling. There's been some pretty amazing things done with them e.g. Paul's Boutique.

Posted by GFW on Saturday, 09/7/2013 @ 19:34pm


I'm not arguing what can be done w/sampling. Even I agree that Paul's Boutique is tremendous. I'm not a fan of Beyoncé, but I'll sucker out to "Crazy In Love" all the time, despite it being overplayed.

If you're talking non-hip-hop, the B.B. King parts on the old one hit song "Standing Outside A Broken Phone Booth With Money In My Hand", by Primitive Radio Gods, is one of the best examples ever of sampling in any kind of song.

That being said, you'll never know what really drove the train, per 'se. How much is the song tied to the sample? If you took the sample out, would it work As Well? (not saying it wouldn't work, just questioning whether it would work as well). It's a tricky question, & one no one may ever be able to answer.

Posted by Cheesecrop on Saturday, 09/7/2013 @ 19:41pm


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WR911Y6rfnQ

****THE COMMODORES****

" This Is Your Life "

(1975)

Do you remember their smash "Sweet Love" ?

THAT song was the follow-up to THIS one

(# 13 R&B)

An R&B smash that, suprisingly didn't make the Hot 100 !!!

Posted by Bill G on Saturday, 09/7/2013 @ 19:42pm


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KNAk0oYu20

Beyonce's "Crazy In Love" was ripped from The Chi-Lites hit, "Are You My Woman"

Sadly, she'll probably get into the Hall ahead of THEM.

Posted by Bill G on Saturday, 09/7/2013 @ 19:49pm


Well, there are song that are very heavily based around a sample, such as "Bound 2" from Kanye's newest album. The sample pretty much IS the song.

Still a great tune, though.

Posted by GFW on Saturday, 09/7/2013 @ 19:51pm


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3gvir7PtT0

Destiny's Child's song "Girl" was ripped from The Dramatics' "Oceans Of Thoughts And Dreams"

here's the original...

Posted by Bill G on Saturday, 09/7/2013 @ 19:53pm


But (and I know that this is a stretch), try to imagine that The Beatles were Black. Do you think that ,despite their obvious talent, given the racial climate in the U.S. that they would have STILL gotten as big as they eventually did?

Be honest.

Posted by Bill G on Saturday, 09.7.13 @ 19:09pm
--------------------------------------------------
You say be honest - well, I'll be honest.

Yes, I do believe so. And I'll tell you why.

1. You acknowledge that Motown was big in the 60's? Pretty basic stuff here.

If the Temptations, The Four Tops, The Supremes, etc., were as big as they were (and they were), then doesn't this mean that the Beatles, if they were Black, could still reach this level?

2. Songwriting-wise, the Holland-Dozier-Holland team was the equivalent of Lennon-McCartney - which simply means that in reverse, Lennon/McCartney were the equals of H-D-H. And H-D-H routinely hit #1 on the charts. In theory, this means a "Black Beatles" could also easily hit #1, & on multiple occasions.

I'll say this: had the Beatles been black, and taken the same route they took, it would roughly be the equivalent of the Temptations morphing into Jimi Hendrix. I think the real question is, how does the African-American community perceive Hendrix in 1967? That ought to tell you how they would've perceived a "black Beatles".

Posted by Cheesecrop on Saturday, 09/7/2013 @ 19:53pm


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIszesDaK9U

Here's the Destiny's Child song...

Posted by Bill G on Saturday, 09/7/2013 @ 19:56pm


"If you're talking non-hip-hop, the B.B. King parts on the old one hit song "Standing Outside A Broken Phone Booth With Money In My Hand", by Primitive Radio Gods, is one of the best examples ever of sampling in any kind of song."

-Cheese

Totally agreed. And that gives me an idea for next Song Project.

Posted by DarinRG on Saturday, 09/7/2013 @ 20:05pm


"If the Temptations, The Four Tops, The Supremes, etc., were as big as they were (and they were), then doesn't this mean that the Beatles, if they were Black, could still reach this level?"

I hate to use the examples of those artists...because they weren't songwriters (Except for Lawrence Payton & Obie Benson of The 4 Tops)...so, let's use the only major Motown act of the Sixties that DID write their own (and almost everybody ELSE'S) stuff on the label back then: The Miracles. The songwriting team of Robinson, Rogers, Moore White and Tarplin wrote NUMEROUS classics ...everything from Marvin Gayes' "Ain't That Peculiar"and "I'll Be Doggone" to their own Tracks Of My Tears" and "Going To A Go-Go".

If The Miracles had been White ...do you think that they would have been bigger ?

Posted by Bill G on Saturday, 09/7/2013 @ 20:07pm


Wish I'd beat you to it, but you called it first. :)

Posted by Cheesecrop on Saturday, 09/7/2013 @ 20:07pm


Ha, either way.

Posted by DarinRG on Saturday, 09/7/2013 @ 20:14pm


"I'll say this: had the Beatles been black, and taken the same route they took, it would roughly be the equivalent of the Temptations morphing into Jimi Hendrix. I think the real question is, how does the African-American community perceive Hendrix in 1967? That ought to tell you how they would've perceived a "black Beatles".

Posted by Cheesecrop

Well, Hendrix was never as big with Black record buyers as with White ones .Black record buyers had to actually be spoon-fed Rock in small doses before it finally caught on ...and the act that succeeded in eventually doing that was Sly & The Family Stone.

Posted by Bill G on Saturday, 09/7/2013 @ 20:19pm


The songwriting team of Robinson, Rogers, Moore White and Tarplin wrote NUMEROUS classics ...everything from Marvin Gayes' "Ain't That Peculiar" and "I'll Be Doggone" to their own Tracks Of My Tears" and "Going To A Go-Go".

If The Miracles had been White ...do you think that they would have been bigger ?

Posted by Bill G on Saturday, 09.7.13 @ 20:07pm
--------------------------------------------------
Yes... and No.

Yes, in that there was a natural advantage to being white in the 60's that cannot be denied. By that logic, the Miracles are going to have a chance to score a few more hits.

At the same time, they also would've been more vulnerable at blowing it, in terms of changing styles and trends. One nice thing about Motown was that everyone working as a unit could generate ideas in one area, and build upon them in another. If the Miracles were white, I am left to presume that they would've been working, a' la the Beatles, as an individual unit. This means they would've kept all the good stuff for themselves. Had the Miracles been out on their own in the R&B community, a' la James Brown or Otis Redding, you presume this also would've been the case.

At the same time, an individual unit can blow it big time. Countless white guitar acts ran a few songs up the flagpole, saw everyone salute it, and then went out on the road, only to find the flags had been lowered and everyone had moved onto another party.

Do I think the Miracles would have been bigger? Yes.

Do I also think they could've fallen flat on their faces, w/out Motown's conscious/unconscious self-checking system (from Berry Gordy on down) built-in? Yes.

But I do think they would've been bigger had they been white. :)

Posted by Cheesecrop on Saturday, 09/7/2013 @ 20:21pm


Well, Hendrix was never as big with Black record buyers as with White ones .Black record buyers had to actually be spoon-fed Rock in small doses before it finally caught on ...and the act that succeeded in eventually doing that was Sly & The Family Stone.

Posted by Bill G on Saturday, 09.7.13 @ 20:19pm
--------------------------------------------------
I'll admit it, the moment you asked "what if the Beatles were black" it got me thinking, "could we have a clue as to what they would've sounded like"?

This probably has nothing to do w/anything, but I think you can get a clue as to what they may have sounded like, had they been black.

The Beatles paid homage to Motown on "Revolver" w/the song "Got to Get You Into My Life". It would seem to me that the early songs, like "She Loves You" & "Can't Buy Me Love", would've sounded roughly like that, from say, 1964-halfway through 65.

I think by late 65, and 66, they would've sounded like the group Love, on their 67 album "Forever Changes". They would've sounded like a split between the "Alone Again Or" style, and perhaps the "Bummer in the Summer" style.

"Sgt. Pepper" may have sounded like Stevie Wonder's "Uptight". The White Album may have sounded like Hendrix's "Are You Experienced" (we're talking a somewhat radical shift). The Beatles talked about "Let It Be" as a return to their roots in skiffle & early rock. It would seem to me that a more R&B based version of the same thing would follow along, and switch things up in the direction of Jackie Wilson, Lloyd Price, etc. (maybe even Johnny Otis or Wilbert Harrison mixed in as well).

If I was going to create a fictional, "black Beatles", and I had to create a playlist to describe the sound, I'd have the following songs in order:

1. The Contours - "Do You Love Me?"
2. The Temptations - "Get Ready"
3. Love - "My Little Red Book"
4. Love - "Alone Again Or"
5. Love - "Bummer in the Summer"
6. Stevie Wonder - "Uptight (everything's alright)
7. The Chambers Brothers - "Time Has Come Today"
8. Love -"August"
9. Jimi Hendrix - "Stone Free"
10. Jimi Hendrix - "Voodoo Chile"
11. Jackie Wilson - "Lonely Teardrops"

this is a very rough idea, but...

Posted by Cheesecrop on Saturday, 09/7/2013 @ 20:41pm


Cheesecrop :

You left out the most obvious song"

"You've Really Got A Hold On Me"-by The Miracles

(because they actually DID record THAT one)

Posted by Bill G on Saturday, 09/7/2013 @ 22:10pm


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGuJbbI_Cc4

*****The COMMODORES*****

One of their BADDEST JAMS...EVER !!!

"Fancy Dancer"

Here is proof positive why the ENTIRE GROUP should be inducted...and not just Lionel Richie solo

(Plus group intro and interview with Don C.)

Top 40 Pop, Top 10 R&B (1977)

Posted by Bill G on Sunday, 09/8/2013 @ 10:57am


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=in6Aau0mVi0

******The COMMODORES******

Here's an alternative clip of "Fancy Dancer" from American Bandstand - same year - introduced by Dick C.

Posted by Bill G on Sunday, 09/8/2013 @ 16:02pm


"How many bands can you name that had a major hit being sung by a member who was not an original member of the group and when the group was inducted, the singer who sung the major hit wasn't included as an inductee?"

The MIRACLES are not a "band", but, they had TWO major million-selling hits without SMOKEY...plus a THIRD Top Ten R&B hit , as well.

...And a Platinum Album.

Posted by Bill G on Sunday, 09/8/2013 @ 17:16pm


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgSN6OIOxug

1) Do It Baby (1974)


...but Billy Griffin was snubbed from induction.

Posted by Bill G on Sunday, 09/8/2013 @ 17:19pm


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQUZj57oljA

****The COMMODORES****

"EASY"

(# 4 Pop, # 1 R&B)

Posted by Bill G on Tuesday, 09/10/2013 @ 12:57pm


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zW8PxmHkcYI

*****Induct The COMMODORES*****

Beny Ashburn (daughter of Commodores manager BENNY ASHBURN), wants to encourage everyone to push for THE COMMODORES to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame . She actually started this campaign in 2011, but the group still isn't in, so she's trying again....

Posted by Bill G on Friday, 10/11/2013 @ 14:24pm


The Commodores need to be on the ballot this year I believe if inducted in 2015 they'll get back together and perform.Milan Williams is the only deceased member.While the others Lionel Richie,William King,Walter Orange,Thomas McClary,Ronald Lepread and JD Nichols who joined when Richie left are still alive and well please get em on the ballot for next induction they've been long overdue!!This would bring them together again I believe so Commodores HOF 2015 let's do it!!!

Posted by Robert Henry on Wednesday, 03/5/2014 @ 22:15pm


The Commodores

01. Lionel Richie (1968-1977: vocals, saxophone, drums, piano)
02. Thomas McClary (1968-Present: lead guitar)
03. Milan Williams (1968-1989: keyboards, trombone, rhythm guitar)
04. William King (1968-Present: trumpet, rhythm guitar, synthesizer)
05. Ronald LaPread (1968-1985: bass guitar, trumpet)
06. Walter Orange (1968-Present: vocals, drums)
07. J.D. Nicholas (1985-Present: vocals; Heatwave)

Posted by Roy on Tuesday, 04/22/2014 @ 16:56pm


Most fans of popular music (presumably including members of Hall) seem to know the Commodores primarily because of the hit ballads that Lionel Richie wrote and sang. However, those hits only hinted at the depth and talent of the group. Even if we limit ourselves to the pop hits, few acts have fused country and soul like the Commodores did (e.g., "Easy," "Sail On," "Oh No") -- Ray Charles is one rare example. Also, the pop hits included funk standards such as "Brick House" and "Machine Gun." However, I can think of many additional Commodores songs that explored country (e.g., "Lucy") and funk (e.g., "Fancy Dancer") that either weren't released or didn't perform so well on the pop charts. And don't let me get started on non-hits (at least on the pop charts) that delved into gospel (e.g. "Jesus Is Love") and rock (e.g., "Heroes"). All in all, the Commodores were extremely versatile and repeatedly released music (rock and beyond) that stood the test of time; and they deserve to be in the Hall.

Posted by Stan on Tuesday, 12/16/2014 @ 20:01pm


YES.....just YES .

Posted by Bill G. on Sunday, 05/17/2015 @ 02:49am


Should have been inducted YEARS ago .
ALL of them...not just Richie .
Two of their biggest and best remembered hits, BRICK HOUSE, and NIGHT SHIFT, were led by Walter "Clyde" Orange...not Richie.
Put the WHOLE GROUP in.

Posted by Bill G. on Thursday, 08/13/2015 @ 03:33am


Just WHAT IS IT about people singling out just ONE MEMBER of established, successful R&B groups, and giving that ONE MEMBER all of the credit and accolades, while virtually IGNORING the OTHER members...and essentially KICKING THEM TO THYE CURB ?
The Smokey / Miracles fiasco is a PRIME EXAMPLE of this.
It's bad enough that the RRHOF has cutting down and failing to induct, the number of deserving R&B groups over the last 11 years...
and even WORSE that they have almost COMPLETELY IGNORED late '60's/ early 70's R&B groups of the "Soul Train Era"...(Spinners, Dramatics, Whispers, Chi-Lites, Defonics,Stylistics, Main Ingredient,etc.
Now everybody want to talk about inducting LIONEL RICHIE as a "solo" act....essentially cutting out the REST of The COMMODORES from induction...
Despite the fact that they ALL truly DESERVE to get in !!!
"WHY"
Haven't these people LEARNED yet ?
Remember,deletion from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame basically means deletion from HISTORY.
...As the families and friends of snubbed original O'Jays member BILL ISLES and snubbed Midnighters Founder ALONZO TUCKER can attest to.
As well as ALL of the snubbed members of The MIRACLES !!
Induct ALL of the Commodores...NOT JUST LIONEL RICHIE !!!

Posted by Bill G. on Wednesday, 10/28/2015 @ 13:15pm


Just WHAT IS IT about people singling out just ONE MEMBER of established, successful R&B groups, and giving that ONE MEMBER all of the credit and accolades, while virtually IGNORING the OTHER members...and essentially KICKING THEM TO THYE CURB ?
The Smokey / Miracles fiasco is a PRIME EXAMPLE of this.
It's bad enough that the RRHOF has cutting down and failing to induct, the number of deserving R&B groups over the last 11 years...
and even WORSE that they have almost COMPLETELY IGNORED late '60's/ early 70's R&B groups of the "Soul Train Era"...(Spinners, Dramatics, Whispers, Chi-Lites, Defonics,Stylistics, Main Ingredient,etc.
Now everybody want to talk about inducting LIONEL RICHIE as a "solo" act....essentially cutting out the REST of The COMMODORES from induction...
Despite the fact that they ALL truly DESERVE to get in !!!
"WHY"
Haven't these people LEARNED yet ?
Remember,deletion from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame basically means deletion from HISTORY.
...As the families and friends of snubbed original O'Jays member BILL ISLES and snubbed Midnighters Founder ALONZO TUCKER can attest to.
As well as ALL of the snubbed members of The MIRACLES !!
Induct ALL of the Commodores...NOT JUST LIONEL RICHIE !!!

Posted by Bill G. on Monday, 10/3/2016 @ 13:14pm


"The Commodores: I think inducting The Commodores alone is not the best idea. Clearly, their best years were when Lionel Richie was in the group; so I think it should be Lionel Richie getting consideration for his entire life's work."

Posted by LAX 33

Man...are you kidding me ?

Two of The Commodores biggest and best-remembered hits, "Night Shift" and "Brick House" , weren't even led by Lionel Richie .They were led by Commodores member WALTER ORANGE.
And the ENTIRE GROUP wrote the song , including group member William King and his wife, Shirley !!
Another of the group's biggest hits ,the Top 10 "Lady (You Bring Me Up)", was written by Commodores member William King, not Richie.
Commodore TOMMY McCLARY wrote their hit "Slippery When Wet"...not Richie.
ALL of the group members were writers, and contributed to their many hits...(just like The Miracles)
But you think that Richie should go in ALONE ?
"NO" .
Richie's solo career was pure Pop. So much so, in fact that he was coined "The Black Barry Manilow".
Is Barry Manilow in the Hall ?
(see my point?)
If Lionel Richie gets a solo induction, it will be the Smokey/Miracles debacle ALL OVER AGAIN.
And for goodness sake, we've had enough of THAT.
Although the group had many Grammy nominations,
their only WIN was for "Night Shift"...
...which Richie had NOTHING to do with the writing of.
It was co-written by the group's OTHER lead singer,WALTER "CLYDE" ORANGE .

The group's very first hit, the million-selling "MACHINE GUN"...
Was written by group member MILAN WILLIAMS .

Original Commodores member Milan Williams is now dead.
Do you think that it would be a fitting tribute to him to leave him out of the Hall of Fame to induct Lionel Richie ALONE ?
Again, I say "NO".
The Commodores and their music pretty much OWNED the Seventies...with hit after hit after hit...
ALL of the group's members deserved to be recognized for this...ALL of them sang , ALL of them played, all of them wrote songs....
ALL of them contributed in a big way to the group's success....
ALL of them should be recognized:
WALTER "CLYDE" ORANGE, WILLIAM KING, MILAN WILLIAMS, RON LaPREAD,TOMMY McCLEARY, AND LIONEL RICHIE...
Induct ALL of THE COMMODORES !!!
You wanna put Richie in solo, fine.
But AFTER the GROUP goes in FIRST !!

Posted by Bill G. on Monday, 10/3/2016 @ 14:01pm


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zN9kFrPHyw

****The COMMODORES****

The Commodores were BY FAR Motown's biggest act of the Seventies...and one of the biggest groups of any kind...period. Their hit records kept Motown alive at a time when many of their great Sixties acts had either left the label, of had retired. They had hit after hit after hit.
They are Grammy Award winners,American Music Award winners, and have been inductees into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame . But they have been IGNORED by The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for years !!! Don't ypu think it's time for Milan Williams, William King, Ron Le Pread, Lionel Richie, Walter "Clyde" Orange, and Tommy Mc Cleary to be inducted ??

Posted by bill g on Saturday, 10/15/2016 @ 21:26pm


Dave Marsh is on record as describing the Commodores as music for men who pee sitting on a toilet.

Posted by Roy on Monday, 10/24/2016 @ 19:09pm


The Commodores

01. Lionel Richie (1968-1977: vocals, saxophone, drums, piano)
02. Thomas McClary (1968-Present: lead guitar)
03. Milan Williams (1968-1989: keyboards, trombone, rhythm guitar)
04. William King (1968-Present: trumpet, rhythm guitar, synthesizer)
05. Ronald LaPread (1968-1985: bass guitar, trumpet)
06. Walter Orange (1968-Present: vocals, drums)
07. J.D. Nicholas (1985-Present: vocals; Heatwave)

Posted by Roy on Monday, 12/5/2016 @ 05:31am


"Dave Marsh is on record as describing the Commodores as music for men who pee sitting on a toilet."

Dave Marsh's REMARK should be flushed down the toilet .
Totally uncalled for comment...One he should have kept to HIMSELF !!
Induct the Commodores !!!

Posted by Bill G. on Tuesday, 11/28/2017 @ 03:55am


Dave Marsh placed Three Times a Lady at #4 on his list of greatest singles of 1978.

Posted by The_Claw on Tuesday, 11/28/2017 @ 07:21am


The Commodores

01. Walter Orange (1968-Present: vocals, drums)
02. Thomas McClary (1968-Present: lead guitar)
03. William King (1968-Present: trumpet, rhythm guitar, synthesizer)
04. Milan Williams (1968-1989: keyboards, trombone, rhythm guitar)
05. Ronald LaPread (1968-1985: bass guitar, trumpet)
06. Lionel Richie (1968-1977: vocals, saxophone, drums, piano)
07. J.D. Nicholas (1985-Present: vocals; Heatwave)

Posted by Roy on Saturday, 03/10/2018 @ 13:55pm


The Commodores

01. Walter Orange (1974-Present: vocals, drums)
02. Thomas McClary (1974-Present: lead guitar)
03. William King (1974-Present: trumpet, rhythm guitar, synthesizer)
04. Milan Williams (1974-1989: keyboards, trombone, rhythm guitar)
05. Ronald LaPread (1974-1985: bass guitar, trumpet)
06. Lionel Richie (1974-1977: vocals, saxophone, drums, piano)
07. J.D. Nicholas (1985-Present: vocals; Heatwave)

Posted by Roy on Saturday, 03/10/2018 @ 13:58pm


Questlove is my best hope for nominating Kool & The Gang and The Commodores! He did not respond to me on twitter, but message read.

Posted by Roy on Sunday, 05/27/2018 @ 11:40am


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JkivnDvJeM

Lionel Richie & Kool + The Gang Oprah Winfrey Show

Posted by Roy on Saturday, 06/30/2018 @ 21:17pm


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zN9kFrPHyw

Dick Clark Interviews The Commodores - American Bandstand 1976

Posted by Roy on Saturday, 07/14/2018 @ 17:40pm


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_V2sWcAbMwI

Dick Clark Interviews The Commodores - American Bandstand 1976

Posted by Roy on Saturday, 07/14/2018 @ 17:42pm


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DI4EmmCjZqk

Dick Clark Interviews Commodores - American Bandstand 1985

Posted by Roy on Saturday, 07/14/2018 @ 17:45pm


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7uVx_Yhy1c

Dick Clark Interviews The Commodores on American Bandstand 1984

Posted by Roy on Saturday, 08/18/2018 @ 19:06pm


More important that Rap! No more Rap in the Hall until the Commodores are inducted!

Posted by Roy on Saturday, 10/13/2018 @ 14:26pm


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8Vu-1KdKGo

***NO !!!***

LIONEL RICHIE should NOT be inducted as a SOLO ACT

THE COMMODORES as a GROUP should be inducted !!!
It was THE COMMODORES that made Lionel Richie...
not the other way around !!!
INDUCT THE COMMODORES !!!!!

Posted by Bill G. on Friday, 10/19/2018 @ 17:15pm


RAPPERS IN THE ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME SO FAR

01. 2007: Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five
02. 2009: RUN DMC
03. 2012: Beastie Boys
04. 2013: Public Enemy
05. 2016: N.W.A
06. 2017: Tupak Shakur

I bet they would all vote for Kool & The Gang and The Commodores for induction, ahead of the Meters. That's 25 votes.

Posted by Roy on Sunday, 10/28/2018 @ 07:41am


Is racism keeping The Commodores out of the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame?

Posted by Roy on Wednesday, 01/9/2019 @ 09:35am


They should perform Machine Gun, Brick House, and Lady at the induction ceremony.

Posted by Roy on Tuesday, 01/22/2019 @ 10:43am




How many bands cover Brickhouse?
I would say for all the bands that cover the song
and are making money doing their music that the
band should be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Music all comes from somewhere and this band is as funky gets.

Posted by Kathy Rankin on Wednesday, 09/11/2019 @ 23:06pm


Blood, Sweat & Tears * Kool & The Gang * The Commodores

Posted by Roy on Monday, 09/7/2020 @ 13:00pm


The Commodores

01. Walter Orange (1974-Present: vocals, drums)
02. Thomas McClary (1974-Present: lead guitar)
03. William King (1974-Present: trumpet, rhythm guitar, synthesizer)
04. Milan Williams (1974-1989: keyboards, trombone, rhythm guitar)
05. Ronald LaPread (1974-1985: bass guitar, trumpet)
06. Lionel Richie (1974-1977: vocals, saxophone, drums, piano)
07. J.D. Nicholas (1985-Present: vocals; Heatwave)

Posted by Roy on Wednesday, 09/9/2020 @ 23:11pm


STUDIO ALBUMS

The Commodores

01. 1974 - Machine Gun
02. 1975 - Caught In The Act
03. 1975 - Movin' On
04. 1976 - Hot On The Tracks
05. 1977 - Commodores
06. 1978 - Natural High
07. 1979 - Midnight Magic
08. 1980 - Heroes
09. 1981 - In The Pocket
10. 1983 - Commodores 13
11. 1985 - Nightshift
12. 1986 - United
13. 1988 - Rock Solid
14. 1993 - No Tricks

Posted by Roy on Friday, 02/19/2021 @ 16:02pm


The two biggest, most successful black bands not in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame

Kool & The Gang: 1970-2007 - 37 years and 23 studio albums - 50-plus years touring!

The Commodores: 1974-1993 - 19 years and 14 studio albums - 45-plus years touring!

Posted by Roy on Friday, 03/12/2021 @ 03:35am


Rappers in The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame

1. 2007 - Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five
2. 2009 - RUN-DMC
3. 2012 - Beastie Boys
4. 2013 - Public Enemy
5. 2016 - N.W.A
6. 2017 - Tupac Shakur
7. 2020 - The Notorious B.I.G.
8. 2021 - Jay-Z
9. 2021 - LL Cool J

ALL OF THEM WOULD VOTE FOR KOOL & THE GANG AND THE COMMODORES

Posted by Roy on Thursday, 05/13/2021 @ 22:26pm


Who should be the presenter for The Commodores? Anyone other than Questlove?

Which songs should they perform? Should they stay away from the ballads?

Machine Gun * Brick House * Easy * Three Times A Lady * Lady (You Bring Me Up) * Night Shift

Posted by Roy on Sunday, 05/23/2021 @ 22:54pm


Induct COMMODORES into hall of fame ASAP

Posted by Michael Rutland on Monday, 08/2/2021 @ 22:47pm


Lionel Richie's Ridiculous Omission From The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aDBYy51HI0

Posted by Roy on Monday, 11/1/2021 @ 22:38pm


There were six other people in the Commodores. They should all be inducted as the Commodores, and Lionel Richie should get a second induction. It wasn't Lionel Richie who sang lead on Brick House or Night Shift. Another win for the fckng Meters! Lionel Richie gets nominated, but not the Commodores! Lionel Richie before Phil Collins? I seriously think the Rock Hall committee has a problem with black groups from the 50s-60s-70s that they don't know personally and are not friends with. If you're black from the 50s-60s-70s these days, you have to be a solo artist to be inducted. If not, then they'll nominate 80s-90s rappers instead, solo or group!

Posted by Roy on Thursday, 02/3/2022 @ 03:52am


The Commodores

01. Walter Orange (1974-Present: vocals, drums)
02. Thomas McClary (1974-Present: lead guitar)
03. William King (1974-Present: trumpet, rhythm guitar, synthesizer)
04. Milan Williams (1974-1989: keyboards, trombone, rhythm guitar)
05. Ronald LaPread (1974-1985: bass guitar, trumpet)
06. Lionel Richie (1974-1981: vocals, saxophone, drums, piano)
07. J.D. Nicholas (1985-Present: vocals; Heatwave)

STUDIO ALBUMS

01. 1974 - Machine Gun
02. 1975 - Caught In The Act
03. 1975 - Movin' On
04. 1976 - Hot On The Tracks
05. 1977 - Commodores
06. 1978 - Natural High
07. 1979 - Midnight Magic
08. 1980 - Heroes
09. 1981 - In The Pocket
10. 1983 - Commodores 13
11. 1985 - Nightshift
12. 1986 - United
13. 1988 - Rock Solid
14. 1993 - No Tricks

Posted by Roy on Thursday, 02/3/2022 @ 04:41am


Here's another example of how the Hall uses sneaky methods to limit demographic changes in the voting body should a candidate make it in. Richie was a successful solo artist but largely veered towards mainstream pop on his own, yet during the 1970's he was a member of The Commodores who were a full-fledged rock group. If Richie gets in alone it will negate any chance the group has since he was their biggest star, and as a result only one black artist will get a vote rather than five. Put the Commodores in and THEN consider Richie's solo work and you remove the charges of voter suppression.

-Sampson of Digital Dream Door

Posted by Roy on Thursday, 02/3/2022 @ 15:13pm


Why is Lionel Richie being nominated before The Commodores?

ARTISTS WHO WERE INDUCTED INTO THE ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME AS SOLO PERFORMERS BEFORE BEING INDUCTED WITH THE BANDS OR GROUPS WHO SPAWNED THEM

01. Clyde McPhatter inducted in 1987; The Drifters inducted in 1988
02. Rod Stewart inducted in 1994; The Small Faces/Faces inducted in 2012
03. Neil Young inducted in 1995; Buffalo Springfield inducted in 1997

Posted by Roy on Thursday, 02/3/2022 @ 15:37pm


Alan Light on Lionel Richie's solo nomination:

"It's been kicked around before, [Lionel or Commordores]...I just feel the icon of Lionel outstripped the Commodores. A beloved name...and he jumped ahead of them."

Thinks Lionel solo would fare better with voters.

https://twitter.com/NickDBambach/status/1488879765234720768?

Posted by Roy on Thursday, 02/3/2022 @ 17:08pm


Parliament-Funkadelic (1997) and Earth, Wind & Fire (2000) are in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, but Kool & The Gang and The Commodores are not.

Posted by Roy on Saturday, 02/5/2022 @ 07:13am



"Is racism keeping The Commodores out of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ? "
Posted by Roy.

Yes, Roy, and a LOT of OTHER Black groups a d artists of the 50's, 60's and '70's as well.
The DRAMA NEVER STOPS with the "Good Ole Boys" at the RAWK Hall of Fame !!
(And , sadly, they know EXACTLY just what they're doing !!)

Posted by Bill G. on Wednesday, 02/9/2022 @ 05:14am


SINGLES

Commodores

Machine Gun * The Zoo (The Human Zoo) * I Feel Sanctified * Slippery When Wet * This Is Your Life * Sweet Love * Just To Be Close To You * Fancy Dancer * Easy * Brick House * Too Hot Ta Trot * Zoom * Three Times A Lady * Flying High * Sail On * Still * Wonderland * Old-Fashioned Love * Heroes * Jesus Is Love * Lady (You Bring Me Up) * Oh No * Why You Wanna Try Me * Lucy * Painted Picture * Reach High * Only You * Turn Off The Lights * Nightshift * Animal Instinct * Janet * Goin' To The Bank * Take It From Me * United In Love * Solitaire * Homeless * Grrip * Everything Reminds Me Of You

Lionel Richie

Endless Love * My Love * Truly * You Are * All Night Long * Running With The Night * Hello * Stuck On You * Penny Lover * Say You, Say Me * Dancing On The Ceiling * Love Will Conquer All * Ballerina Girl * Se La * Do It To Me * My Destiny * Don't Wanna Lose You * Ordinary Girl * Angel * Just For You * I Call It Love

Posted by Roy on Friday, 02/25/2022 @ 12:54pm


I think that THE COMMODORES fit the description of Rock and Roll FAR MORE then that of Lionel Richie, the SOLO artist…and I've given my reasons why many times on this site. The Commodores ROCKED….and ROCKED HARD !! They were a NON-STOP , HARDCORE FUNK BAND !! They were also among the Top 4 Groups of ANY KIND in the Seventies!!
Their SOUND, their SONGS, their STYLE was ALWAYS a COLLECTIVE effort. ALL of them were hit SONGWRITERS…ALL of them were multi-instrumentalists, 3 of them were LEAD SINGERS, and ALL of them were
MASTER SHOWMEN. So…WHY is only ONE of them being HONORED ? Their breakthrough hit, the instrumental smash , MACHINE GUN, was a COLLECTIVE effort…and it WASN'T EVEN LED, OR WRITTEN BY LIONEL RICHIE . It was written by deceased original member MILAN WILLIAMS . Two of their all-time biggest hits , BRICK HOUSE and NIGHT SHIFT , WEREN'T EVEN LED by RICHIE , but were led by the group's other lead singer, WALTER "CLYDE" ORANGE….so again, WHY JUST RICHIE ?
It's the Hall of Fame's "divide and conquer" scenario all over again…one that is used principally with R&B groups .
The SOLUTION? INDUCT THE COMMODORES FIRST. Without THE COMMODORES, there IS NO LIONEL RICHIE. The GROUP made HIM…not the other way around. By the time that "The Richie Ballads" came along, THE COMMODORES were ALREADY an ESTABLISHED HITMAKING GROUP. So again, WHY is only ONE member being honored for the GROUP'S COLLECTIVE ACHIEVEMENTS ??
There is a distinct difference between the music and style of THE COMMODORES as a GROUP, and the music of Lionel Richie, the solo artist ( and I've said this several times before).
Let me illustrate: 1) THE COMMODORES: "SLIPPERY WHEN WET." RICHIE: "
PENNY LOVER" 2) THE COMMODORES: "BRICK HOUSE". RICHIE: "HELLO".
3) THE COMMODORES: "FANCY DANCER". RICHIE: "SAY YOU ,SAY ME"
4) THE COMMODORES: LADY (YOU BRING ME UP) , RICHIE : "LADY" (yeah, I know that Kenny sang it …but Richie WROTE it. 5) THE COMMODORES:" JUST TO BE CLOSE TO YOU" .RICHIE :"TRULY".
Do you see the DIFFERENCE?
This is THE ROCK and ROLL HALL OF FAME…not The MOR/EASY LISTENING HALL OF FAME.
And Lionel Richie's music , in the last few years of his tenure with THE COMMODORES, and throughout his solo career, has followed JUST THAT PATTERN…Toward Easy Listening Ballads. So much so, in fact, that he has been dubbed " The Black Barry Manilow".
IS BARRY MANILOW IN THE HALL OF FAME ? (I rest my case).
So…why should Richie be inducted on the basis of his benign , soft music solo career ?
And NO he should NOT be inducted on the basis of the collective works of the COMMODORES, because, in the name of FAIRNESS, you would then have to ALSO nominate the other members of The COMMODORES..and the HoF is not doing that.
The only right way to do this , would be to put THE COMMODORES on the ballot. Get THEM in FIRST, then worry about Richie later. He would definitely get in…and THE COMMODORES would receive their just due for their collective achievements.
Since Lionel has been silent on this issue…it seems that he should speak up to have the nomination modified to include WILLIAM KING, RON LA PREAD, the late MILAN WILLIAMS, WALTER ORANGE, and TOMMY MC CLEARY.
But, word is , he has been silent on this issue. If he were to come forward (like Dolly recently has) and state that he wants the other Commodores included, it would be only fair and right….and the HoF Administrators would surely listen.
….But WILL HE ?
It's the SMOKEY/ MIRACLES CONTROVERSY ALL OVER AGAIN !! The MIRACLES didn't deserve it…and THE COMMODORES DON'T EITHER !!

Posted by Bill G on Monday, 03/28/2022 @ 14:44pm


If Richie was any sense of loyalty to his former band mates , he will SPEAK UP FOR THEM so that they will be included.
If the Induction ship sales only ONCE (and it seems to almost NOT SAIL AT ALL for Black R&B groups these days), I would much rather see a COMMODORES INDUCTION then Richie solo. We all know that they deserve it…and so does Lionel. If the COMMODORES get in as a GROUP, Richie is almost certain to get a solo shot later. If they DON'T, The Hall is almost sure to THROW THEM AWAY, as they've done so many times before with other Black groups.
THE MIRACLES were one of the greatest groups of all time…with over **50 Chart Hits**
and INCREDIBLE INFLUENCE…and look at what the Hall of Fame did to THEM.
DO THE RIGHT THING, LIONEL. THE WORLD IS WATCHING YOU…and WAITING to see what YOU ARE GONNA DO NEXT…

Posted by Bill G on Wednesday, 03/30/2022 @ 16:04pm


https://youtu.be/L55RCofwv9Q
THE COMMODORES- SLIPPERY WHEN WET-DINAH SHORE SHOW -1975

Posted by Bill G on Wednesday, 03/30/2022 @ 16:07pm


https://youtu.be/uk56h62hB0k
THE COMMODORES -FANCY DANCER -Plus Interview- SOUL TRAIN

Posted by Bill G on Wednesday, 03/30/2022 @ 16:12pm


https://youtu.be/Q0u3Q_aAkvI
THE COMMODORES-SWEET LOVE - AMERICAN BANDSTAND 1976

Posted by Bill G on Wednesday, 03/30/2022 @ 16:16pm


https://youtu.be/Hp3lOM3nVt8
THE COMMODORES- JUST TO BE CLOSE TO YOU-SOUL TRAIN

Posted by Bill G on Wednesday, 03/30/2022 @ 16:21pm


https://youtu.be/Y4UCd_091-E
THE COMMODORES- "BRICK HOUSE" - NBC's "MIDNIGHT SPECIAL"
Walter "Clyde" Orange sang lead on this million-selling hit…NOT Lionel Richie.

Posted by Bill G on Wednesday, 03/30/2022 @ 17:37pm


https://youtu.be/vVoMJSMgsUM
The COMMODORES- MACHINE GUN
The group's very first smash hit was the instrumental
tune MACHINE GUN. Richie didn't write THAT one EITHER.
It was written by deceased Commodores member
MILAN WILLIAMS, seen here on keyboards opposite Richie.

Posted by Bill G on Wednesday, 03/30/2022 @ 23:59pm


https://youtu.be/fM8EMjP9bFk
Interview with Commodores Founder
Tommy McClary

Posted by Bill G on Thursday, 03/31/2022 @ 01:22am


https://youtu.be/cd7YUN52fDU
THE COMMODORES- "THIS IS YOUR LIFE"
Here is a RARE clip on one of the group's earliest hits
From their 1975 album "Caught In The Act."

Posted by Bill G on Thursday, 04/7/2022 @ 03:11am


ARTISTS WHO WERE INDUCTED INTO THE ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME AS SOLO PERFORMERS BEFORE BEING INDUCTED WITH THE BANDS OR GROUPS WHO SPAWNED THEM

01. Clyde McPhatter inducted in 1987; The Drifters inducted in 1988
02. Rod Stewart inducted in 1994; The Small Faces/Faces inducted in 2012
03. Neil Young inducted in 1995; Buffalo Springfield inducted in 1997
04. Lionel Richie inducted in 2022; The Commodores inducted in 20??

Posted by Roy on Wednesday, 05/4/2022 @ 11:13am


Lionel Richie better make damn sure the Commodores get on the ballot next year!

Posted by Roy on Thursday, 05/5/2022 @ 04:24am


Lionel Richie on twitter https://twitter.com/LionelRichie/with_replies

Tell Lionel Richie that he has to make the Rock Hall nominate the Commodores!

Posted by Roy on Thursday, 05/5/2022 @ 13:21pm


Here's another example of how the Hall uses sneaky methods to limit demographic changes in the voting body should a candidate make it in. Richie was a successful solo artist but largely veered towards mainstream pop on his own, yet during the 1970's he was a member of The Commodores who were a full-fledged rock group. If Richie gets in alone it will negate any chance the group has since he was their biggest star, and as a result only one black artist will get a vote rather than five. Put the Commodores in and THEN consider Richie's solo work and you remove the charges of voter suppression.

-Sampson of Digital Dream Door on Lionel Richie's nomination

Though versatility is an admirable trait for any artist, it's telling that the music Richie made with The Commodores in the 1970's was far more consistently focused on rock before he left to pursue middle of the road pop with a few credible dance-rock hits thrown in. By inducting Richie alone they get to credit his entire career while ensuring The Commodores won't ever be considered and risk throwing off their carefully cultivated imbalanced voting body with too many black inductees.

-Sampson of Digital Dream Door on Lionel Richie's induction

Posted by Roy on Friday, 05/6/2022 @ 04:58am


Rappers in The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame

01. 2007 - Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five
02. 2009 - RUN-DMC
03. 2012 - Beastie Boys
04. 2013 - Public Enemy
05. 2016 - N.W.A
06. 2017 - Tupac Shakur
07. 2020 - The Notorious B.I.G.
08. 2021 - Jay-Z
09. 2021 - LL Cool J
10. 2022 - Eminem

All of them would vote for Kool & the Gang and the Commodores.

Posted by Roy on Friday, 05/6/2022 @ 15:45pm


Lionel Richie can vote for himself now.

Posted by Roy on Friday, 05/6/2022 @ 15:49pm


Walter Orange the only one who majored in music, could write and read music, where would the Commodores be with out this super talented drummer, vocalist and a knowledge of music at a very high level. He was vocals for Brick house and Night-shift. He brought and brings alot to the table of success and fame. The Commodores are legends.

Posted by Jacqui on Sunday, 05/8/2022 @ 02:47am


https://www.quora.com/Who-is-the-single-most-snubbed-band-not-to-have-yet-been-inducted-into-the-Rock-and-Roll-Hall-of-Fame
WHO IS THE SINGLE MOST SNUBBED BAND NOT TO HAVE YET BEEN INDUCTED INTO
THE ROCK and ROLL HALL OF FAME ? ( From the QUORA website ).
ONE of them is THE COMMODORES
*** BLACK…BUT NOT R&B ***
I totally AGREE with SAMPSON of Digital Dream Door. A GAME is being played. The VOTING BODY membership is being MANIPULATED…to keep the membership as WHITE as possible…to keep Black R&B artists and groups OUT. (Fewer Black INDUCTEES mean Fewer Black VOTERS. )
THEN…the Hall of Fame can quell accusations of racism by claiming that "SOME" Black artists are being inducted…but they are NOT R&B acts. How ELSE can one explain the nominations and inductions of HARRY BELAFONTE (calypso) FELA KUTI (World Music) LIONEL RICHIE (MOR…instead of the COMMODORES-R&B/ Funk ) , NINA SIMONE (Jazz/Blues) GIL SCOTT-HERON (Spoken Word) , JIMMY CLIFF (Reggae) BILL WITHERS (Pop) and NUMEROUS RAPPERS…ANYTHING and EVERYTHING-BUT- CLASSIC R&B !!

Posted by Bill G on Sunday, 05/8/2022 @ 20:07pm


IN THE MEANTIME, WE have THIS scenario:

DIONNE WARWICK- rejected TWICE
THE SPINNERS- rejected THREE TIMES
MARY WELLS- rejected TWICE.
THE MARVELETTES - rejected TWICE
JOE TEX - rejected SIX TIMES (!!)
CHAKA KHAN/RUFUS- rejected SEVEN TIMES TOTAL
DONNA SUMMER - rejected FOUR TIMES…only securing INDUCTION…AFTER SHE DIED !!
(DISGRACEFUL !!!)

THE STYLISTICS, THE DRAMATICS, THE DELFONICS, PATTI LA BELLE & THE BLUEBELLES/LA BELLE, HAROLD MELVIN & THE BLUE NOTES, BROOK BENTON, JR WALKER & THE ALL-STARS, HAROLD MELVIN & THE BLUE NOTES, THE OLYMPICS, THE CONTOURS, BOYS 2 MEN, THE DOMINOES, DEBARGE, KOOL & THE GANG, TAVARES,
THE POINTER SISTERS, JOE SIMON, THE MAIN INGREDIENT, THE CHI-LITES,
THE COMMODORES , THE OHIO PLAYERS, EDWIN STARR, THE INTRUDERS,
GENE CHANDLER, MAJOR LANCE, ROY HAMILTON, THE CLOVERS ,JOHNNIE TAYLOR,
SISTER SLEDGE, WYNONIE HARRIS, ROY BROWN, BIG MAMA THORNTON,
THE MOMENTS/RAY, GOODMAN & BROWN, THE CLEFTONES, EN VOGUE, CHUCK JACKSON, NANCY WILSON, ELLA FITZGERALD, JERRY BUTLER (SOLO) , BEN E.KING, (SOLO), BILLY STEWART, WALTER JACKSON , CHUBBY CHECKER…

******* NEVER EVEN NOMINATED. NOT EVEN ONCE !!! *******

Posted by Bill G on Sunday, 05/8/2022 @ 20:47pm


Blood, Sweat & Tears * Kool & The Gang * Commodores

Posted by Roy on Friday, 05/13/2022 @ 05:39am


https://youtu.be/KcIdh2USx24
LIONEL RICHIE said that HE DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE THE COMMODORES!!!
(So why DID he ?)

Posted by Bill G. on Sunday, 05/15/2022 @ 03:06am


The "Stab in the Heart" That Broke Up The Commodores | Oprah's Master Class | Oprah Winfrey Network
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMIvHQx4mPg

Posted by Roy on Sunday, 05/15/2022 @ 04:43am


Milan Williams of the Commadores
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbEIzD4Ip_A

Posted by Roy on Sunday, 05/15/2022 @ 04:47am


Founder of the Commodores Thomas McClary BBC Interview" Rock & Soul "
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNStloTIH2U

Posted by Roy on Sunday, 05/15/2022 @ 04:51am


Naomi interviews LIONEL RICHIE
As they discuss THE COMMODORES, AMERICAN IDOL, and MORE…
https://youtu.be/mVmhEhxjeb0

Posted by Bill G on Tuesday, 06/7/2022 @ 19:59pm


The name of the group is Commodores, not The Commodores!

Posted by Roy on Tuesday, 11/1/2022 @ 08:00am


So this just happened two weeks ago...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsTKEQzLkmw

INDUCT THE COMMODORES!

Posted by Roy on Tuesday, 11/1/2022 @ 08:01am


Bevy Smith tells Lionel Richie on the Red Carpet that he could actually be one of those 2-time inductees. She calls the Commodores the iconic super-band that Lionel Richie was a part of. Lionel Richie said he is going to put his foot in the door and hold it open for the Commodores. He tells people everyday if there were no Commodores, there would be no Lionel Richie.

I'm still waiting for the full speeches by Lenny Kravitz and Lionel Richie to surface on YouTube to see if they mentioned the Commodores on stage.

Posted by Roy on Monday, 11/7/2022 @ 19:09pm


About Lionel Richie:
I'll believe it when I see it.
The CORRECT TIME for him to have SPOKEN UP in defense of The COMMODORES…
Was BEFORE he was INDUCTED…
Not AFTER.

Posted by Bill G on Saturday, 11/19/2022 @ 02:56am


I have a question for anyone in the group.

I know that Parliament-Funkadelic was inducted into the RRHOF, but has George Clinton ever been inducted? He has had a solo artist run with his own releases. Also what about musicians like Eddie Hazel, Michael Hampton, Bernie Worrell, and Bootsy Collins?
It seems only fair since Lionel Ritchie can earn a spot aside from The Commodores.

Posted by Student of the Arts on Sunday, 11/20/2022 @ 18:47pm


No, George has not been inducted as a soloist, and pretty unlikely to happen.

Sadly, doesn't matter when Lionel Richie spoke up, if he had done it before or after or ever. Hall gonna Hall.

Posted by Philip on Tuesday, 11/22/2022 @ 23:32pm


Name me two black groups from the 1970s and 1980s, bigger and more successful than Kool & the Gang and the Commodores, who are not in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame yet! You can't!

Posted by Roy on Wednesday, 03/29/2023 @ 15:02pm


I do not think Lionel Richie solo career has rock spirit but the commodores is more related to rock scene. If I can decide, I will only induct the commodores. Lionel Richie's music is too mild, compromised and does not have rock spirit but the commodores does not have this problem.

Posted by power on Saturday, 12/2/2023 @ 10:40am


The Commodores and The Spinners

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VyHqvYf4KbU

Broward Center - Au-Rene Theater
Sunday, January 7, 2024 at 7:00 PM
Tickets and show info:

https://www.browardcenter.org/events/detail/the-commodores-the-spinners-2024

Posted by Roy on Saturday, 12/9/2023 @ 17:45pm


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Future Rock Legends is your home for The Commodores and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, including year of eligibility, number of nominations, induction chances, essential songs and albums, and an open discussion of their career.


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